Adjustable clamp-joint for railroad-rails



Patented Oct. 29, 1889.

[hyenof: MM

A. J. MOXHAM. ADJUSTABLE CLAMP JOINT POL RAILROAD RAILS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J.' MOXHAM, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE LAM P-JOINT FOR RAILROAD-RAILS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 413,956, dated October 29, 1889.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that LARTHUE J. MOXHAM, of Johnstown, in the'county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Clamp-Joint for Railroad- Rails, which invention is fully set forth and illustrated in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a joint-piece for use principally in portable connecting tracks and switches which will permit a large adj ustnlent of the rails which it unites or bridges.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the joint, showing the rails nearly abutting each other. Fig. 2 is a view in plan of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the joint, showing the rails separated some distance apart. Fig. is a cross-section taken through Figs. l and 2 at the line at Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the joint clamp-plate detached.

In said figures the several parts are indicated by reference-letters, as follows:

The letter A indicates the clamp proper, having inclined ends-ct a, which permit of the cars running up and down; B B, grooved side lugs g. C, acontinuous flange on one side,which may, however, if desired, be divided into a series of lugs like the lugs B.

The letters b b indicate keys or wedges, by

means of which the joint-plate is secured in Vas place to the rails. When these keys or wedges are driven home, the whole plate is clamped to the rails underneath by a side connection which permits the Whole structure to lie on Application filed August 16, 1889. Serial No. 320,953. (No model.)

the street-surface. It is evident, however, that the keys b could be replaced by set-screws or any other suitable clamping device which would clamp the j oint-plate at its extreme outer ends. It is also evident that the device herein described may be adapted for use with any'form of upper surface of rail, the shape of the heads of the rails to be joined not being essential. l

The clamp-joint herein described presents advantages over those heretofore used of greater simplicity of construction and in admitting of quicker and greater range of adjustment for the same length of joint-plate. By locating the lugs B B at the end of the joint-plate the ends of the rails can be placed underneath said plate a greater distance apart, as itV is evident that the ends of vsaid rails cannot be located farther apart than the location of such lugs without the joint being liable to be pulled apart; hence the farther apart these lugs are the greater range of adjustability in the rails joined by these jointplates.

Having thus fully described my said adjustable clamp-joint, as of my invention I clai r11- l. A joint clamp-plate for railroad-rails, provided with a side lug to clamp each' rail.

i 2. A joint clamp-plate for railroad-rails, provided with a side lug at each end thereof secured to the rails by side keys.

ARTHUR J. MOXHAM. Vitnesses:

C. R. POWELL, H. E. NAVAGH. 

